FORT LAUDERDALE -- The Red Sox make one of their two visits. It's Bradley Bergesen vs. Justin Masterson -- a pitching prospect delight. Here are a few random observations:

-- Bradley Bergesen is earning a significant look at a rotation spot. The arrival of Adam Eaton hurts him some, but if a pitching prospect can make the rotation, it will be Bergesen.

Bergesen tossed up three zeroes, but it was a Red Sox lineup that had only Jacoby Ellsbury in it. Lars Anderson was here. A nice slugging prospect that Baseball America says can arrive later this year. Anderson ripped a gapper to right-center off Bergesen.

-- Justin Masterson is a strong man -- with a real nasty arm slot, a right-handed Randy Johnson. Masterson was hit a little harder in the second inning as Ty Wigginton and Luke Scott both made good contact on drives to the outfield. The shots were caught, though.

Masterson is going to be a big winner in this league. If Brad Penny cannot make the No. 5 starter's spot, it will come down to Masterson or Clay Buchholz in the rotation to start the season. John Smoltz (shoulder) won't arrive from the DL until late May. Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Tim Wakefield are the other four starters.

Since Penny is a bit behind right now, Masterson has a shot. The addition of Ramon Ramirez and Takashi Saito make it more possible Masterson won't be needed in the bullpen.

-- Joe Angel, the Orioles play-by-play radio announcer, was in the lunch line in front of me. The attendant asked, "Does anyone remember you were OJ Simpson's high school quarterback?" ... He responded: "No, and I try to forget as well."

Angel is best-known for his and the Marlins "are in the win column." ... Also, he famously has the home run call "Hasta la vista pelota!" ... Translation: See you later, ball.

-- Brett Myers booed off mound in Philly. Prefers to close, but needs to correct himself before he wrecks himself.
-- John Lackey returned spectacularly. It's like he never left. He is a must-start two-start pitcher.
-- Red Sox No. 5 starter with Clay Buchholz out? Colon or Masterson
-- Dodgers No. 5? Kershaw might get call May 27 ...
-- Homer Bailey could also arrive as teams tend to follow top prospects up the chain around June 1 before the draft

Masterson has struggled back in Double-A, but his one-start audition was very impressive. He was throwing frisbee sliders and earned himself the designation as the defacto No. 6 starter. Take a flier on Masterson in all deeper leagues.

Another prospect note on an elite pitching prospect: Clayton Kershaw's promotion might be delayed after his shaky start in Double-A on Monday. The Dodgers need a No. 5 starter Saturday, May 17, but then they can skip the No. 5 spot again until May 27.

So, May 27 is a more likely date of Kershaw's call-up at this point, according to MiLB.com.

Interesting May 27 ... in time for a two-start week and just before June 1 -- when we expect the next big wave of prospects to be called up.